U.S. patent application number 13/779154 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for apparatus and method for providing a pan and zoom display for a representation of a process system.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.. Invention is credited to David James Cupitt, Ian Duncanson, Graeme Laycock, James Spear.
Application Number | 20140240356 13/779154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51387682 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140240356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cupitt; David James ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PAN AND ZOOM DISPLAY FOR A
REPRESENTATION OF A PROCESS SYSTEM
Abstract
A method includes displaying regions in a graphical display. At
least two regions correspond to different portions of a
representation of an industrial process system. A thumbnail region
corresponds to an entirety of the representation of the process
system. A viewport region corresponds to a portion of the
representation of the process system less than the entirety of the
representation of the process system. The viewport region is
disposed and movable within the thumbnail region. A current view
region corresponds to a current view of the representation of the
process system. The current view is associated with the viewport
region. The method also includes, responsive to user activation,
moving the viewport region within the thumbnail region and updating
the current view region. The thumbnail region is configured to
identify at least one fault condition indicator outside the
viewport region.
Inventors: |
Cupitt; David James; (Dee
Why, AU) ; Spear; James; (Epping, AU) ;
Laycock; Graeme; (Hunters Hill, AU) ; Duncanson;
Ian; (Belrose, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. |
Morristown |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL
INC.
Morristown
NJ
|
Family ID: |
51387682 |
Appl. No.: |
13/779154 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/634 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 11/60 20130101;
G05B 23/0272 20130101; G09G 5/14 20130101; G05B 2219/31472
20130101; G05B 23/0272 20130101; G06T 11/206 20130101; G06T 11/60
20130101; G08B 23/00 20130101; G05B 2219/31472 20130101; G06F
3/0484 20130101; G06T 3/40 20130101; G06T 3/40 20130101; G06T
11/206 20130101; G09G 5/14 20130101; G06F 9/451 20180201; G06F
3/0484 20130101; G08B 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/634 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/14 20060101
G09G005/14; G06T 3/40 20060101 G06T003/40 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: displaying a plurality of regions in a
graphical display, at least two of the regions corresponding to
different portions of a representation of an industrial process
system, wherein the regions include: a thumbnail region that
corresponds to an entirety of the representation of the process
system; a viewport region that corresponds to a portion of the
representation of the process system that is less than the entirety
of the representation of the process system, the viewport region
disposed and movable within the thumbnail region; and a current
view region that corresponds to a current view of the
representation of the process system, the current view associated
with the viewport region; and responsive to user activation, moving
the viewport region within the thumbnail region and updating the
current view region; wherein the thumbnail region is configured to
identify at least one fault condition indicator outside of the
viewport region.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: responsive to a
second user activation, resizing visual indicia associated with the
process system within the current view region.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: responsive to the
second user activation, resizing a boundary of the viewport
region.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein: the second user activation
defines an amount of zoom; and resizing the visual indicia within
the current view region comprises enlarging or shrinking the visual
indicia within the current view region by an amount that is
proportional to the amount of zoom.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein: the second user activation
defines an amount of zoom; and resizing the boundary of the
viewport region comprises enlarging or shrinking the boundary of
the viewport region in an amount that is inversely proportional to
the amount of zoom.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: subscribing to
operational data associated with visual indicia displayed in the
current view region; and upon updating the current view region,
unsubscribing from operational data associated with visual indicia
no longer displayed in the current view region.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: upon updating the
current view region, remaining subscribed to fault condition data
for the visual indicia no longer displayed in the current view
region.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one fault condition
indicator comprises at least one alarm icon.
9. An apparatus comprising: at least one processing device
configured to generate a graphical display having a plurality of
regions, at least two of the regions corresponding to different
portions of a representation of an industrial process system,
wherein the regions include: a thumbnail region that corresponds to
an entirety of the representation of the process system; a viewport
region that corresponds to a portion of the representation of the
process system that is less than the entirety of the representation
of the process system, the viewport region disposed and movable
within the thumbnail region; and a current view region that
corresponds to a current view of the representation of the process
system, the current view associated with the viewport region; and
wherein the at least one processing device is further configured,
responsive to user activation, to move the viewport region within
the thumbnail region and to update the current view region; and
wherein the thumbnail region is configured to identify at least one
fault condition indicator outside of the viewport region.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing
device is further configured, responsive to a second user
activation, to resize visual indicia associated with the process
system within the current view region.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processing
device is further configured, responsive to the second user
activation, to resize a boundary of the viewport region.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the second user activation
defines an amount of zoom; and the at least one processing device
is configured to enlarge or shrink the visual indicia within the
current view region by an amount that is proportional to the amount
of zoom.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the second user activation
defines an amount of zoom; and the at least one processing device
is configured to enlarge or shrink the boundary of the viewport
region in an amount that is inversely proportional to the amount of
zoom.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing
device is further configured to: subscribe to operational data
associated with visual indicia displayed in the current view
region; and upon updating the current view region, unsubscribe from
operational data associated with visual indicia no longer displayed
in the current view region.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processing
device is further configured, upon updating the current view
region, to remain subscribed to fault condition data for the visual
indicia no longer displayed in the current view region.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one fault
condition indicator comprises at least one alarm icon.
17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device,
cause the at least one processing device to: generate a graphical
display having a plurality of regions, at least two of the regions
corresponding to different portions of a representation of an
industrial process system, wherein the regions include: a thumbnail
region that corresponds to an entirety of the representation of the
process system; a viewport region that corresponds to a portion of
the representation of the process system that is less than the
entirety of the representation of the process system, the viewport
region disposed and movable within the thumbnail region; and a
current view region that corresponds to a current view of the
representation of the process system, the current view associated
with the viewport region; and responsive to user activation, move
the viewport region within the thumbnail region and update the
current view region; wherein the thumbnail region is configured to
identify at least one fault condition indicator outside of the
viewport region.
18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, further
comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one
processing device, cause the at least one processing device to:
responsive to a second user activation, resize visual indicia
associated with the process system within the current view
region.
19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, further
comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one
processing device, cause the at least one processing device to:
subscribe to operational data associated with visual indicia
displayed in the current view region; and upon updating the current
view region, unsubscribe from operational data associated with
visual indicia no longer displayed in the current view region.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, further
comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one
processing device, cause the at least one processing device to:
upon updating the current view region, remain subscribed to fault
condition data for the visual indicia no longer displayed in the
current view region.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to process control systems
and more specifically to an apparatus and method for providing a
pan and zoom display for a representation of a process system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Processing facilities are often managed using process
control systems. Example processing facilities include
manufacturing plants, chemical plants, crude oil refineries, and
ore processing plants. Among other operations, process control
systems typically manage the use of motors, valves, and other
industrial equipment in the processing facilities.
[0003] An important function of process control systems is the
ability to provide effective tools for operators to monitor and
control industrial processes. These tools often include process
schematics that graphically illustrate the industrial processes
being controlled. In many cases, the process schematics for a large
industrial process are divided into sections, so operators are able
to view only smaller portions of the industrial process.
SUMMARY
[0004] This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for
providing a pan and zoom display for a representation of a process
system.
[0005] In a first embodiment, a method includes displaying a
plurality of regions in a graphical display. At least two of the
regions correspond to different portions of a representation of an
industrial process system. The regions include a thumbnail region
that corresponds to an entirety of the representation of the
process system. The regions also include a viewport region that
corresponds to a portion of the representation of the process
system that is less than the entirety of the representation of the
process system, where the viewport region is disposed and movable
within the thumbnail region. The regions further include a current
view region that corresponds to a current view of the
representation of the process system, where the current view is
associated with the viewport region. The method also includes,
responsive to user activation, moving the viewport region within
the thumbnail region and updating the current view region. The
thumbnail region is configured to identify at least one fault
condition indicator outside of the viewport region.
[0006] In a second embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one
processing device configured to generate a graphical display having
a plurality of regions. At least two of the regions correspond to
different portions of a representation of an industrial process
system. The regions include a thumbnail region that corresponds to
an entirety of the representation of the process system. The
regions also include a viewport region that corresponds to a
portion of the representation of the process system that is less
than the entirety of the representation of the process system,
where the viewport region is disposed and movable within the
thumbnail region. The regions further include a current view region
that corresponds to a current view of the representation of the
process system, where the current view is associated with the
viewport region. The at least one processing device is further
configured, responsive to user activation, to move the viewport
region within the thumbnail region and to update the current view
region. The thumbnail region is configured to identify at least one
fault condition indicator outside of the viewport region.
[0007] In a third embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by at
least one processing device, cause the at least one processing
device to perform the following steps. A graphical display having a
plurality of regions is generated. At least two of the regions
correspond to different portions of a representation of an
industrial process system. The regions include a thumbnail region
that corresponds to an entirety of the representation of the
process system. The regions also include a viewport region that
corresponds to a portion of the representation of the process
system that is less than the entirety of the representation of the
process system, where the viewport region is disposed and movable
within the thumbnail region. The regions further include a current
view region that corresponds to a current view of the
representation of the process system, where the current view is
associated with the viewport region. Responsive to user activation,
the viewport region is moved within the thumbnail region, and the
current view region is updated. The thumbnail region is configured
to identify at least one fault condition indicator outside of the
viewport region.
[0008] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one
skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure,
reference is now made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an example process control system
according to this disclosure;
[0011] FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate example pan and zoom displays
for representations of a process system according to this
disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an example method for providing a pan and
zoom display for a representation of a process system according to
this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIGS. 1 through 3, discussed below, and the various
embodiments used to describe the principles of the present
invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only
and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the
invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
principles of the invention may be implemented in any type of
suitably arranged device or system.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example process control system 100
according to this disclosure. In this example embodiment, the
process control system 100 includes various components that
facilitate production or processing of at least one product or
other material, such as one or more sensors 102a and one or more
actuators 102b. The sensors 102a and actuators 102b represent
components in a process system that may perform any of a wide
variety of functions. For example, the sensors 102a could measure a
wide variety of characteristics in the process system, such as
temperature, pressure, or flow rate. In addition, the actuators
102b could alter a wide variety of characteristics in the process
system, such as heaters, motors, catalytic crackers, or valves. The
sensors 102a and actuators 102b could represent any other or
additional components in any suitable process system. Each of the
sensors 102a includes any suitable structure for measuring one or
more characteristics in a process system. Each of the actuators
102b includes any suitable structure for operating on or affecting
one or more conditions in a process system. Also, a process system
may generally represent any system or portion thereof configured to
process one or more products or other materials in some manner.
[0015] At least one network 104 is coupled to the sensors 102a and
actuators 102b. The network 104 facilitates interaction with the
sensors 102a and actuators 102b. For example, the network 104 could
transport measurement data from the sensors 102a and provide
control signals to the actuators 102b. The network 104 could
represent any suitable network or combination of networks. As
particular examples, the network 104 could represent an Ethernet
network, an electrical signal network (such as a HART or FOUNDATION
FIELDBUS network), a pneumatic control signal network, or any other
or additional type(s) of network(s).
[0016] Two controllers 106a-106b are coupled to the network 104.
The controllers 106a-106b may, among other things, use the
measurements from the sensors 102a to control the operation of the
actuators 102b. For example, the controllers 106a-106b could
receive measurement data from the sensors 102a and use the
measurement data to generate control signals for the actuators
102b. Each of the controllers 106a-106b includes any suitable
structure for interacting with the sensors 102a and controlling the
actuators 102b. The controllers 106a-106b could, for example,
represent multivariable controllers or other types of controllers.
As a particular example, each of the controllers 106a-106b could
represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating
system.
[0017] Two networks 108 are coupled to the controllers 106a-106b.
The networks 108 facilitate interaction with the controllers
106a-106b, such as by transporting data to and from the controllers
106a-106b. The networks 108 could represent any suitable networks
or combination of networks. As particular examples, the networks
108 could represent a pair of Ethernet networks or a redundant pair
of Ethernet networks, such as a FAULT TOLERANT ETHERNET (FTE)
network from HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
[0018] At least one switch/firewall 110 couples the networks 108 to
two networks 112. The switch/firewall 110 may transport traffic
from one network to another. The switch/firewall 110 may also block
traffic on one network from reaching another network. The
switch/firewall 110 includes any suitable structure for providing
communication between networks, such as a HONEYWELL CONTROL
FIREWALL (CF9) device. The networks 112 could represent any
suitable networks, such as a pair of Ethernet networks or an FTE
network.
[0019] Two servers 114a-114b are coupled to the networks 112. The
servers 114a-114b perform various functions to support the
operation and control of the controllers 106a-106b, sensors 102a,
and actuators 102b. For example, the servers 114a-114b could log
information collected or generated by the controllers 106a-106b,
such as measurement data from the sensors 102a or control signals
for the actuators 102b. The servers 114a-114b could also execute
applications that control the operation of the controllers
106a-106b, thereby controlling the operation of the actuators 102b.
In addition, the servers 114a-114b could provide secure access to
the controllers 106a-106b. Each of the servers 114a-114b includes
any suitable structure for providing access to, control of, or
operations related to the controllers 106a-106b. Each of the
servers 114a-114b could, for example, represent a computing device
running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.
[0020] One or more operator stations 116 are coupled to the
networks 112. The operator stations 116 represent computing or
communication devices providing user access to the servers
114a-114b, which could then provide user access to the controllers
106a-106b (and possibly the sensors 102a and actuators 102b). As
particular examples, the operator stations 116 could allow users to
review the operational history of the sensors 102a and actuators
102b using information collected by the controllers 106a-106b
and/or the servers 114a-114b. The operator stations 116 could also
allow the users to adjust the operation of the sensors 102a,
actuators 102b, controllers 106a-106b, or servers 114a-114b. In
addition, the operator stations 116 could receive and display
warnings, alerts, or other messages or displays generated by the
controllers 106a-106b or the servers 114a-114b. Each of the
operator stations 116 includes any suitable structure for
supporting user access and control of the system 100. Each of the
operator stations 116 could, for example, represent a computing
device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.
[0021] In this example, the system 100 also includes a wireless
network 118, which can be used to facilitate communication with one
or more wireless devices 120. The wireless network 118 may use any
suitable technology to communicate, such as radio frequency (RF)
signals. Also, the wireless devices 120 could represent devices
that perform any suitable functions. The wireless devices 120
could, for example, represent wireless sensors, wireless actuators,
and remote or portable operator stations or other user devices.
[0022] At least one router/firewall 122 couples the networks 112 to
two networks 124. The router/firewall 122 includes any suitable
structure for providing communication between networks, such as a
secure router or combination router/firewall. The networks 124
could represent any suitable networks, such as a pair of Ethernet
networks or an FTE network.
[0023] In this example, the system 100 includes at least one
additional server 126 coupled to the networks 124. The server 126
executes various applications to control the overall operation of
the system 100. For example, the system 100 could be used in a
processing plant or other facility, and the server 126 could
execute applications used to control the plant or other facility.
As particular examples, the server 126 could execute applications
such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution
system (MES), or any other or additional plant or process control
applications. The server 126 includes any suitable structure for
controlling the overall operation of the system 100.
[0024] One or more operator stations 128 are coupled to the
networks 124. The operator stations 128 represent computing or
communication devices providing, for example, user access to the
servers 114a-114b, 126. Each of the operator stations 128 includes
any suitable structure for supporting user access and control of
the system 100. Each of the operator stations 128 could, for
example, represent a computing device running a MICROSOFT WINDOWS
operating system.
[0025] In particular embodiments, the various servers and operator
stations may represent computing devices. For example, each of the
servers 114a-114b, 126 could include one or more processors 130 and
one or more memories 132 for storing instructions and data used,
generated, or collected by the processor(s) 130. Each of the
servers 114a-114b, 126 could also include at least one network
interface 134, such as one or more Ethernet interfaces. Also, each
of the operator stations 116, 128 could include one or more
processors 136 and one or more memories 138 for storing
instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the
processor(s) 136. Each of the operator stations 116, 128 could also
include at least one network interface 140, such as one or more
Ethernet interfaces.
[0026] In one aspect of operation, to facilitate control over a
process system, the operator stations 116, 128 may include one or
more human-machine interface (HMI) applications 142. An HMI
application 142 generally represents an application that generates
graphical displays for presenting content to operators. The
graphical displays visually represent one or more processes (or
portions thereof) being monitored and/or controlled by the
operators. An HMI application 142 can present any suitable
graphical data to an operator, such as a process schematic that
graphically illustrates a process to be controlled.
[0027] In some domains, a user may want to build one large process
schematic display to represent a process system, such as an entire
industrial process or plant, rather than dividing the
representation into many separate displays. This could be due to
the large-scale nature of the plant and/or when geography plays an
important aspect in a process, such as a large field of wells or a
pipeline where operators may prefer to pan along a large pipeline
to monitor and control the process.
[0028] Building and supporting these schematic displays may pose
challenges for a process control system. For example, the amount of
data required to populate a display showing an entire process may
overload downstream data providers that may have low bandwidth.
Also, a lack of situational awareness may occur when an operator
zooms in on a particular area of a large process, since the
operator may not be aware of what alarms are occurring off the
display.
[0029] To overcome these or other problems, the HMI application 142
can generate a graphical display containing a process schematic
that graphically illustrates equipment used to perform a particular
process. Any other suitable graphical display with other content
associated with a process could be presented to an operator. The
graphical display also includes pan and zoom controls, which allows
an operator to zoom in on areas of the displayed process and to pan
(move) the zoomed portion of the process. These controls provide
for quick and easy navigation between locations within the process
when monitoring and/or controlling the process. The display can
further include a pan and zoom thumbnail that provides a thumbnail
overview or an outline of the entire process. The thumbnail may
include a viewport representation identifying the portion of the
process currently being displayed, and the thumbnail can provide
situational awareness of a fault condition that occurs outside of
the current view. This can be accomplished using a fault condition
indicator in the thumbnail, even when the fault occurs outside of
the portion of the process currently being viewed. An example of a
pan and zoom display including a thumbnail is shown in FIGS. 2A
through 2D, which are described below.
[0030] Each HMI application 142 includes any suitable application
for generating graphical displays representing at least part of a
process being monitored and/or controlled. As a particular example,
the HMI application 142 could use HMIWEB technology from HONEYWELL
INTERNATIONAL INC. The HMIWEB technology uses hypertext markup
language (HTML) and allows users to build process control displays
(web pages) that are loaded onto operator stations 116, 128. The
HTML displays may use INTERNET EXPLORER or other browser technology
to extend the functionality of the web pages to allow process
information to be displayed and to allow operators to control
processes via the web pages. In particular embodiments, the HMI
application 142 can operate within a larger system, such as within
EXPERION systems from HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
[0031] Although FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a process control
system 100, various changes may be made to FIG. 1. For example, a
control system could include any number of sensors, actuators,
controllers, servers, operator stations, networks, and HMI
applications. Also, the makeup and arrangement of the process
control system 100 in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Components
could be added, omitted, combined, or placed in any other suitable
configuration according to particular needs. In addition, FIG. 1
illustrates one operational environment in which pan and zoom
control in conjunction with a representation of a process system
can be used. This functionality could be used in any other suitable
device or system.
[0032] FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrates an example pan and zoom
display 200 for representations of a process system according to
this disclosure. The pan and zoom display 200 could be generated,
for example, by the HMI application 142 in order to present
information associated with a process system being controlled by
the process control system 100.
[0033] The graphical display 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2D
includes a window 202 rendered by the HMI application 142. The
window 202 displays a plurality of regions 210, 220, 230, each
corresponding to a different portion of a representation of a
process system. For example, the window 202 may display a thumbnail
region 210, a viewport region 220, and a current view region 230.
It will be appreciated that the graphical display 200 may also be
shown in a windowless mode of operation, such as a full screen
display mode.
[0034] The thumbnail region 210 may be a popup display or other
display that is generated automatically and that provides a
framework for viewing a thumbnail overview of a pan and zoom
display. The thumbnail region 210 may be repositioned within the
window 202, may be placed within a navigation panel 270 (see FIG.
2D) within the window 202, and/or may be opened and closed.
[0035] The thumbnail region 210 includes operational data, such as
visual indicia 212 of data, and corresponds to an entirety of the
representation of the process system. For example, the thumbnail
region 210 may provide an overview or an outline of an entire
process system, such as a large process schematic representative of
an entire process or plant. To illustrate, the large process
schematic may be representative of a large geographically-dispersed
system (such as a gas pipeline) or a complex multi-step process
(such as a large oil refinery). The visual indicia 212 may include
text, an image, or a combination thereof. For instance, the visual
indicia 212 may include text and/or a schematic representation of
operational data associated with sensors, actuators, other
industrial equipment, or any combination thereof. The operational
data may include data that is associated with the process system,
such as sensor data or the like. In addition, the operational data
may include fault condition data, and the visual indicia 212 may
include a fault condition indicator, such as an alarm icon 214.
[0036] The viewport region 220 is disposed and moveable within the
thumbnail region 210 and corresponds to a portion of the
representation of the process system that is less than the entirety
of the representation of the process system. For example, the
viewport region 220 may include visual indicia 222 of data of a
type similar to that of the visual indicia 212. The visual indicia
222 may be defined by a boundary 224 that encompasses some, but not
all, of the visual indicia 212 in the thumbnail region 210. The
visual indicia 222 within the viewport region 220 may also include
fault condition indicators, such as alarm icons 226 and 228.
Accordingly, any fault condition indicators that occur may be
visible in the thumbnail region 210, which allows an operator to
maintain situational awareness of those fault condition indicators
(even when a fault occurs outside of the portion of the process
currently being viewed).
[0037] The boundary 224 of the viewport region 220 may define a
viewable area 225 in the viewport region 220. The viewable area 225
of the viewport region 220 includes the visual indicia 222 and is
associated with the current view region 230 as described in further
detail below. The current view region 230 may generally be
described as an enlarged view of the viewable area 225, which shows
part but not all of the process system. The boundary 224 of the
viewport region 220 may be moved horizontally and/or vertically
within the thumbnail region 210 responsive to user activation of
the viewport region 220. As a result, the viewable area 225 within
the viewport region 220 can change to display indicia that were
previously not in view in the viewable area 225 or only partially
in view in the viewable area 225.
[0038] To move the viewport region 220, a user may click on the
graphical display 200 using a mouse or other pointer and may use a
drag and drop method to move the boundary 224 of the viewport
region 220. Alternatively, on-display controls 250 may be provided,
and a user may click the controls 250 or tap on a touchscreen that
includes the controls 250 to move the viewport region 220. In
addition, the user may pass a pointer over the viewport region 220,
click on another widget, perform a gesture, or use any other
suitable input mechanism to move the viewport region 220.
[0039] Because the viewport region 220 is moveable within the
thumbnail region 210, a user may quickly navigate between locations
on the representation of the process system within the thumbnail
region 210. Movement of the viewport region 220 changes the
viewable area 225 and correspondingly changes the current view
region 230. This may enable a user to view additional visual
indicia, such as portions of the visual indicia 212 within the
thumbnail region 210 that are outside of the boundary 224 of the
viewport region 220 prior to the movement of the viewport region
220. For example, fault conditions identified by alarm icons that
occur outside of the boundary 224 of the viewport region 220 (such
as outside the viewable area 225 and correspondingly outside the
current view region 230) are visible in the thumbnail region 210.
This enables a user to maintain situational awareness of fault
conditions, even those outside of the current view region 230.
[0040] The user may quickly move the viewport region 220 within the
thumbnail region 210 to another location within the thumbnail
region 210, such as to a location of one or more alarm icons that
are outside the current boundary 224 of the viewport region 220. By
moving the viewport region 220, the one or more alarm icons that
were previously outside the boundary 224 may be placed within the
boundary 224 of the viewport region 220 (and therefore within both
the viewable area 225 and the current view region 230). To
illustrate, if a fault condition causes the alarm icon 214 (which
is outside the boundary 224 of the viewport region 220) to become
active, a user may move the viewport region 220 within the
thumbnail region 210 so that the alarm icon 214 is within the
boundary 224 of the viewport region 220. When the viewport region
220 is moved, the viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 will
include the alarm icon 214, and the alarm icon 214 will be within
the current view region 230. This enables the user to quickly
navigate to the alarm icon 214 and to monitor the alarm icon 214
more closely.
[0041] The boundary 224 of the viewport region 220 may be resized
(such as enlarged or shrunk) responsive to a second user
activation, such as a zoom control. The viewable area 225 of the
viewport region 220 may be resized in accordance with the resizing
of the boundary 224. A zoom control may include any suitable amount
of zoom. In some embodiments, the amount of zoom may be 50% to
200%. However, the amount of zoom may be different in other
implementations. The zoom control may also include a proportional
zoom (where objects are magnified or shrunk equally) or a semantic
zoom (where a level of detail or an entire representation of a
resized object is changed to fit into a current size). The zoom
control may further include a "hyperzoom" feature, which could
include a navigation hotspot on the graphical display 200 for
linking pan and zoom displays. For example, a clickable hyperlink
region 260 (shown in FIG. 2B) within the graphical display 200 may
call up a predefined region or viewport within another pan and zoom
display, which allows nesting of pan and zoom displays to
effectively extend zoom range. A user may activate the hyperlink
region 260 by positioning a pointer over the hyperlink region 260
and clicking a mouse, tapping a touchscreen, performing a gesture
(such as a swipe gesture or a pinch gesture), engaging a mouse
wheel, or providing any other suitable input.
[0042] A user may provide the second user activation by positioning
a pointer over the viewport region 220 and clicking a mouse or
tapping a touchscreen. The user may also click on another widget,
perform a gesture (such as a swipe gesture or a pinch gesture),
engage a mouse wheel, or click or tap the controls 250 to activate
the zoom control. In response to the second user activation of the
viewport region 220, the boundary 224 of the viewport region 220
may be resized by an amount that is inversely proportional to the
amount of zoom. Visual indicia associated with the viewable area
225 of the viewport region 220 and displayed in the current view
region 230 may be resized by an amount that is proportional to the
amount of zoom as described in further detail below. To illustrate,
if the second user activation of the viewport region 220 includes
an amount of zoom approximately equal to 200%, the boundary 224 of
the viewport region 220 may be decreased by a factor of two. The
viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 may similarly be
decreased by a factor of two. For example, FIG. 2C illustrates the
pan and zoom display having a user-selected amount of zoom equal to
approximately 200%. Both a size of the boundary 224 and a size of
the viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 have been resized
(decreased) compared to a size of the boundary 224 and a size of
the viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 at an amount of
zoom equal to approximately 100% as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0043] Alternatively, if the second user activation of the viewport
region 220 includes an amount of zoom equal to approximately 50%,
the boundary 224 of the viewport region 220 may be increased by a
factor of two. The viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 may
similarly be increased by a factor of two. For example, FIG. 2A
illustrates the pan and zoom display having an amount of zoom equal
to approximately 50%. Here, both a size of the boundary 224 and a
size of the viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 have been
resized (increased) compared to a size of the boundary 224 and a
size of the viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220 at an
amount of zoom equal to approximately 100% as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0044] The current view region 230 is associated with the viewport
region 220 and corresponds to a current view of the representation
of the process system. For example, the current view region 230 may
correspond to the viewable area 225 within the boundary 224 of the
viewport region 220 and may include visual indicia 232 of data of a
type similar to that of the visual indicia 222. The visual indicia
232 shown in the current view region 230 may be an enlarged set of
the visual indicia 222 within the viewport region 220. The current
view region 230 may be updated in response to movement of the
viewport region 220. For example, movement of the viewport region
220 causes the viewable area 225 within the viewport region 220 to
change. The current view region 230 may be updated in
correspondence with the change in the viewable area 225 of the
viewport region 220 so that the current view region 230 continues
to display an enlarged view of the viewable area 225.
[0045] Operational data, other than fault condition data, may be
subscribed or unsubscribed based on whether the operational data is
visible in the current view region 230. For example, assume a user
pans (moves) the viewport region 220 within the thumbnail region
210 into a different location of the process system representation.
When this occurs, the operational data that is no longer in the
current view region 230 may be unsubscribed (other than fault
condition data), and the operational data that has come into view
in the current view region 230 may be subscribed. This reduces an
amount of data processing needed to populate and maintain the
graphical display 200. For instance, when the viewport region 220
is moved within the thumbnail region 210, the viewable area 225
changes, and the current view region 230 may be updated in
correspondence with the changes in the viewable area 225. The
process system may only subscribe to operational data that is
within the current view region 230. Operational data outside the
current view region 230 may be unsubscribed, except for fault
condition data.
[0046] The visual indicia 232 of data within the current view
region 230 may be resized (such as enlarged or shrunk) responsive
to the second user activation (the zoom control). For example, in
response to the second user activation of the zoom control
associated with the viewport region 220, the visual indicia 232 may
be resized by an amount that is proportional to the amount of zoom.
To illustrate, if the amount of zoom equals approximately 200%, the
visual indicia 232 within the current view region 230 may be
increased by an amount that is proportional. For example, FIG. 2C
illustrates the pan and zoom display having a user-selected amount
of zoom equal to approximately 200%. The visual indicia 232 within
the current view region 230 have been resized (increased) as
compared to a size of the visual indicia 232 within the current
view region 230 at an amount of zoom equal to approximately 100% as
shown in FIG. 2B.
[0047] Alternatively, if the second user activation of the viewport
region 220 includes an amount of zoom equal to approximately 50%,
the visual indicia 232 within the current view region 230 may again
be resized by an amount that is proportional. For example, FIG. 2A
illustrates a pan and zoom display having an amount of zoom equal
to approximately 50%. Here, the visual indicia 232 within the
current view region 230 have been resized (decreased) as compared
to a size of the visual indicia 232 within the current view region
230 at an amount of zoom equal to approximately 100% as shown in
FIG. 2B. The second user activation of the viewport region 220
allows a user to zoom in on or out of a particular location of the
process system representation. Among other things, this enables a
user to monitor a fault condition more closely.
[0048] As explained above with respect to moving (panning) the
viewport region 220, the current view region 230 may be updated in
correspondence with a change in the amount of zoom selected for the
viewable area 225 of the viewport region 220. As such, when a user
zooms into or out of locations of the process system
representation, the operational data that is no longer in the
current view region 230 may be unsubscribed (other than fault
condition data), and the operational data that has come into view
may be subscribed. For example, when the viewport region 220 is
activated via the zoom control, the viewable area 225 changes, and
the current view region 230 may be updated in correspondence with
the changes in the viewable area 225. The process system may only
subscribe to operational data that is within the current view
region 230. Operational data outside the current view region 230
may be unsubscribed, except for fault condition data.
[0049] Although FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate an example of a pan
and zoom display 200 for representations of a process system,
various changes may be made to FIGS. 2A through 2D. For example,
the process system shown here is for illustration only, and any
other suitable process system can be displayed. Also, the positions
of certain features, such as the relative positions of the regions
210 and 230 and the controls 250, can be changed.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an example method 300 for providing a pan
and zoom display for a representation of a process system according
to this disclosure. The method 300 could, for example, be used by
the HMI application 142 in the process control system 100 of FIG.
1.
[0051] A plurality of regions may be displayed, where each region
corresponds to a different portion of a representation of a process
system, at step 302. For example, the HMI application 142 of FIG. 1
may generate the graphical display 200 of FIGS. 2A through 2D,
which can be displayed at any of the operator stations 116, 128 of
FIG. 1.
[0052] As part of this step, a thumbnail region that corresponds to
an entirety of the representation of the process system is
displayed at 304. For example, the thumbnail region 210 of FIGS. 2A
through 2D may be displayed at any of the operator stations 116,
128 of FIG. 1. Also, a viewport region that corresponds to a
portion of the representation of the process system that is less
than the entirety of the representation of the process system is
displayed at step 306. The viewport region is disposed and movable
within the thumbnail region. For example, the viewport region 220
of FIGS. 2A through 2D may be displayed at any of the operator
stations 116, 128 of FIG. 1. In addition, a current view region
that corresponds to a current view of the representation of the
process system is displayed at step 308. The current view is
associated with the viewport region. For example, the current view
region 230 of FIGS. 2A through 2D may be displayed at any of the
operator stations 116, 128 of FIG. 1. The current view may
correspond to an enlarged view of the viewable area 225 of the
viewport region 220 of FIGS. 2A through 2D.
[0053] Visual indicia of data corresponding to the representation
of the process system disposed within the thumbnail region, the
viewport region, and the current view region are displayed at step
310. For example, a portion of the visual indicia 212 of FIG. 2A
may be disposed within the thumbnail region 210 of FIGS. 2A through
2D and may be displayed at the operator stations 116, 128 of FIG.
1. Also, a portion of the visual indicia 222 of FIG. 2A may be
disposed within the viewport region 220 of FIGS. 2A through 2D and
may be displayed at the operator stations 116, 128 of FIG. 1. In
addition, a portion of the visual indicia 232 of FIG. 2A may be
disposed within the current view region 230 of FIGS. 2A through 2D
and may be displayed at the operator stations 116, 128 of FIG.
1.
[0054] The viewport region may be moved within the thumbnail region
responsive to user activation, where the thumbnail region enables a
user to maintain situational awareness of a change in visual
indicia of data that occurs outside of the current view region, at
step 312. For example, the viewport region 220 of FIGS. 2A through
2D may be moved within the thumbnail region 210 responsive to a
drag and drop method to move the boundary 224 of the viewport
region 220. Alternatively, the viewport region 220 may be moved via
the controls 250, or the user may pass a pointer over the viewport
region 220, click on another widget, or perform a gesture (such as
a swipe or a pinch) to move the viewport region 220 within the
thumbnail region 210. Fault conditions identified by alarm icons
that occur outside of the boundary 224 of the viewport region 220
(outside the viewable area 225 and correspondingly outside the
current view region 230) will be visible in the thumbnail region
210. This enables a user to maintain situational awareness of those
fault conditions outside of the current view region 230.
[0055] Although FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a method 300 for
providing a pan and zoom display for a representation of a process
system, various changes may be made to FIG. 3. For example, while
shown as a series of steps, various steps shown in FIG. 3 could
overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur
multiple times. Moreover, some steps could be combined or removed
and additional steps could be added according to particular
needs.
[0056] In some embodiments, various functions described above are
implemented or supported by a computer program that is formed from
computer readable program code and that is embodied in a computer
readable medium. The phrase "computer readable program code"
includes any type of computer code, including source code, object
code, and executable code. The phrase "computer readable medium"
includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a
computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory
(RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc
(DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer
readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other
communication links that transport transitory electrical or other
signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media
where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be
stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or
an erasable memory device.
[0057] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain
words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms
"application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs,
software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions,
objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof
adapted for implementation in a suitable computer code (including
source code, object code, or executable code). The terms
"transmit," "receive," and "communicate," as well as derivatives
thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication. The
terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof,
mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive,
meaning and/or. The phrase "associated with," as well as
derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,
interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or
with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like.
The term "controller" means any device, system, or part thereof
that controls at least one operation. A controller may be
implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and
software/firmware. The functionality associated with any particular
controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or
remotely. The phrase "at least one of," when used with a list of
items, means that different combinations of one or more of the
listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be
needed. For example, "at least one of: A, B, and C" includes any of
the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and
A and B and C.
[0058] While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and
generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these
embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does
not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes,
substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing
from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the
following claims.
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